An unique experience

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2002)

How does one explain what his soul feels ? how does one explain the feeling you get when waking up from a beautiful dream ? The one who could do that could also explain this experience that is called The Legend of 1900, I lack the words but I will try ...
The movie in a nutshell is extremely simple, it tells a story about a child who was abandoned on a liner, the Virginian, that sails between Europe and America, and how he grew up in the bowels of this steel giant he called home, it tells the story how he found music, it tells the story how he embraced the music so much that he in all practical sense became one with it. It tells a story about a man who never left this ship he called home, who saw the world pass him by 2000 passengers at the time. You could call this movie a fable, an extremely beautiful insight to someones soul. The execution of this movie is flawless, Tim Roth and Pruitt Taylor Vince give excellent performances and Clarence Williams III is most glorious in his portrayal of Jelly Roll Morton, a pianist who supposedly invented jazz and comes to challenge 1900 to a piano duel. Director Giuseppe Tornatore and cinematographer Lajos Koltai weave an utterly beautiful world where the story takes place, the visual beauty is unmatched, it's just astonishing. One way to enjoy The legend of 1900 is to turn the picture off and just listen, Ennio Morricone's music is an essential part of this movie and is one of the most beautiful pieces of music in it's own rights. The director does what very few have done before, all the pieces fit, perfect visuals, stunning music, superb cast, infact I would go so far that I would say I cant find anything wrong about this movie, except it ends.
Granted that this is not a movie for persons who enjoy action and big explosions above anything else, but anyone who can watch this piece of cinematic genius with an open mind will encounter something really special.
One of the best movies of 1990's if not the best.